A new animated comedy from Jack Amiel and Michael Begler (creators/exec producers of The Knick) has joined the ever growing toon development slate at Fox. Titled Cocky, the concept centers on Bert, a rideshare driver with a Ph.D and no filter who is “the smartest idiot in the world,” and the consequences he faces living with the world’s most insecure, overly-sensitive talking cockatoo.
Amiel and Begler are writing, and exec produce alongside Oscar winner Michael Sugar (Spotlight, The Knick, The OA). Cocky is a co-production of Fox Entertainment and its animation studio Bento Box Entertainment (Bob’s Burgers). The series marks the first foray into animation for all three EPs. Beside the Emmy-winning series The Knick, Amiel and Begler’s writing and producing credits include Minor Adjustments, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Raising Helen and 2006’s The Shaggy Dog.
Animation industry vet Brian Keane will be joining Nickelodeon Animation Studios as Executive Vice President of Production and Operations, a newly created position. Keane, previously COO/EVP of Blue Sky Studios for over a decade, will oversee plans to scale, manage and support productions across Nickelodeon series, movies and its Studio business in Burbank and New York. Keane will be based in Nickelodeon Animation’s offices in New York and report to Ramsey Naito, President of Nickelodeon Animation.
“I have always admired Nickelodeon’s irreverent and creator-driven spirit, and I’m so excited to be joining the studio at a time of global growth and evolution,” said Keane. “I look forward to working with the Nick team on this transformative chapter ahead.”
Under this new structure, Angelique Yen, head of physical production, will report to Keane. Additionally, two new positions have been created reporting to Yen: Jennie Monica has been appointed Vice President, Series Production and Kara Lord Piersimoni will join as Vice President of Production for Nickelodeon Movies. In these roles, Monica joins the production team managing animated series, and Lord Piersimoni will manage all aspects of physical production for movies. Dean Hoff, Vice President Series Production, Andrew Huebner, Vice President, Series Production and Patty Henry-Robinson, Vice President Series Production will continue reporting to Yen.
“Brian’s love of animation, operational expertise and producorial spirit will greatly contribute to Nickelodeon’s culture and success,” said Naito. “Keane and Yen’s partnership fortifies our studio’s mission to produce and deliver the highest quality content for kids and families everywhere across multiple platforms.”
Jennie Monica and Kara Lord Piersimoni
As Executive Vice President of Production and Operations, Brian Keane will support Nickelodeon’s ambitious growth plans by partnering closely with creative and production leaders to deliver high quality content. He will diversify and optimize the studio culture and productivity while managing the continuous advancement of the animation studio. Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Keane served as Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President at Blue Sky and held a range of other leadership positions at the company, including General Manager/Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer/Vice President. During his tenure, he worked on all of the Blue Sky films released to date including the Ice Age and Rio movies, Spies in Disguise, Ferdinand, The Peanuts Movie and Horton Hears A Who.
Emmy Award winner Jennie Monica, Vice President, Series Production, currently holds the position of co-executive producer on SpongeBob SquarePants. She began her career at Nickelodeon in 1998 on the beloved property and over the years has held many roles on the SpongeBob SquarePants movie and TV series franchise from casting and music supervisor to production manager, line producer and producer. Monica also served as casting and music supervisor on ChalkZone, The X’s, Holly Hobbie & Friends, Catscratch and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
New Vice President of Production for Nickelodeon Movies, Kara Lord Piersimoni, most recently served as Vice President of Production at Guru Studios, where she ensured creative and financial support of all productions, including feature film, TV series, shorts, commercials, games and new media endeavors. Prior to Guru Studios, she was Senior Director at Sparkhouse Studios/1517 Media Group where she also served as executive producer of the award-winning Dove Seal recipient short films The Story of Christmas and The Story of Easter, and executive producer of Whirl. Lord Piersimoni has also held positions at Disney Feature Animation, Disneytoon Studios, STARZ Animation, Digital Domain Media Group and Warner Animation Group/LEGO.
Animag is delighted to unveil an exclusive image from Locksmith Animation’s highly anticipated debut feature, Ron’s Gone Wrong. Produced by the U.K. studio and 20th Century Studios, the CG animated comedy-adventure is set for release in the U.S. by Disney on October 22.(The film was originally scheduled for April, but like many other features slated for 2020 and 2021, the title’s opening day has moved because of the pandemic and the closure of theaters nationwide.)
20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animation’s Ron’s Gone Wrong is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler struggling with the social media age, and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device which is designed to be his instant ‘Best Friend out of the Box.’ Ron’s hilarious malfunctions launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship.
“It couldn’t be timelier to be telling the story of the joys of ‘analogue’, real world friendship in a world dominated by online relationships. While all around are living through chat, posts and ‘likes’, the dorky, contrarian, hilarious friendship of Barney and Ron, built through shared experience, reminds us of the best version of growing up. We’re incredibly proud of both the story and artistry of Locksmith’s first film, which will roll out to global audiences this October,” shared Locksmith co-founders Sarah Smith and Julie Lockhart.
Smith (Arthur Christmas) and Pixar veteran Jean-Philippe Vine (story artist on Cars 3 and The Good Dinosaur) direct the film, with Octavio Rodriguez (story artist on Coco and Incredibles 2) co-directing. The script is written by Peter Baynham (Arthur Christmas, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm) and Smith. Lockhart (Shaun the Sheep Movie, The Pirates! Band of Misfits) produces, with Locksmith Chairman Elisabeth Murdoch and Baynham serving as executive producers.
Ron’s Gone Wrong (Courtesy of Locksmith Animation)
From the creative mind of Tony Hale, DreamWorks Archibald’s Next Big Thing Is Here is the next chapter for Archibald Strutter, a chicken who “yes-ands” his way through life. While his adventures don’t always go as planned, Archibald takes it one step at a time with the help of his three siblings, Sage, Finly and Loy, and his trusty sidekick, Bea.
The new series will premiere as a Peacock Original on the streamer Thursday, February 18, with all six episodes available at once.
The voice cast for Archibald’s Next Big Thing Is Here includes Tony Hale (Arrested Development, VEEP, Toy Story 4), Adam Pally (The Mindy Project), Jordan Fisher (Dancing with the Stars, Hamilton), Chelsea Kane (Baby Daddy, Fish Hooks), Kari Wahlgren (DuckTales, Rick and Morty), Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) and Academy Award-nominee Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Thunderbirds Are Go).
Hale serves as creator and executive producer, alongside executive producer Eric Fogel (Celebrity Deathmatch, Descendants: Wicked World). Inspired by the critically acclaimed children’s book Archibald’s Next Big Thing by Hale, Tony Biaggne, Victor Huckabee and Misty Manley, the new series is produced by DreamWorks Animation.
Today, Walt Disney Animation Studios launched a thrilling and humorous new trailer for the fantasy-adventure Raya and the Last Dragon, revealing more of the mythical creature and the rag-tag band of adventurers who seek her. The studio also unveiled a new poster (below).
The original fantasy adventure will be available on Disney+ with Premier Access ($29.99) in most markets simultaneous to its theatrical release on March 5.
Raya and the Last Dragon takes us on an exciting, epic journey to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world — it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.
The outstanding voice cast includes Kelly Marie Tran as the intrepid warrior Raya; Awkwafina as the legendary dragon, Sisu; Gemma Chan as Raya’s nemesis, Namaari; Daniel Dae Kim as Raya’s visionary father, Benja; Sandra Oh as Namaari’s powerful mother, Virana; Benedict Wong as Tong, a formidable giant; Izaac Wang as Boun, a 10-year-old entrepreneur; Thalia Tran as the mischievous toddler Little Noi; Alan Tudyk as Tuk Tuk, Raya’s best friend and trusty steed; Lucille Soong as Dang Hu, the leader of the land of Talon; Patti Harrison as the chief of the Tail land; and Ross Butler as chief of the Spine land.
Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada are directing, with Paul Briggs and John Ripa co-directing. Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho are the producers, and Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim are the writers on the project.
Fred Rogers Productions, the nonprofit children’s entertainment producer behind the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad and Peg + Cat, has newly expanded its creative team once again, naming Olubunmi Mia Olufemi the Supervising Producer for its recently-announced and eagerly-anticipated series, Alma’s Way, launching fall 2021 on PBS KIDS.
Olufemi is responsible for overseeing all phases of production, serving as the company’s liaison with the animation studio and broadcaster. Additionally, she manages the creation of series assets for marketing and licensing efforts, among other duties. Olufemi reports directly to Ellen Doherty, Executive Producer of Alma’s Way and Chief Creative Officer for Fred Rogers Productions.
“Mia is an exceptionally talented producer, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Alma’s Way team,” said Doherty. “With her impressive track record and dedication to producing quality, relevant, and authentic programming for children, Mia is exactly the right person to help guide this important new series as it comes to life for kids and families everywhere.”
Alma’s Way
Alma’s Way is created by actor and writer Sonia Manzano, who positively impacted the lives of generations as “Maria” on Sesame Street, breaking new ground as one of the first Latino characters on national television, for which she received an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Alma’s Way gives children ages 4-6 the power to find their own answers to their problems, express what they think and feel, and recognize and respect the unique perspective of others.
Prior to joining Fred Rogers Productions, Olufemi was the producer of the Peabody Award-winning PBS KIDS series Molly of Denali, the first nationally-distributed children’s show to feature a Native American lead character. Throughout her career, Olufemi has been devoted to building inclusive productions, both on-screen and behind the scenes, that authentically celebrate and highlight underrepresented populations, particularly minorities and immigrant cultures.
Olufemi began her career in children’s television at WGBH (now known as GBH) Educational Foundation, where she worked on acclaimed children’s series such as Arthur, Curious George, Martha Speaks and Design Squad Global.
Starting today, 14 million elementary school children and their teachers and parents/caregivers will be inspired to “take care” — of themselves, each other, and the planet — thanks to a new partnership between Peanuts Worldwide and GoNoodle, the beloved kids media and technology company. GoNoodle videos, in English and Spanish, and games turn screen time into active time and promote movement and mindfulness at home or in school online and via a suite of apps. The partnership is the latest activation of the global Take Care With Peanuts initiative.
Take Care With Peanuts draws on themes of wellness, community, and environmental engagement found throughout Charles Schulz’s revered comic strip, and motivates all of us to be good global citizens. The initiative includes philanthropic outreach, social messaging, and educational activities, with children and communities at the heart of each activation.
“My husband’s comic strips, known for their humor and wisdom, frequently featured moments in which the Peanuts characters cared for each other and the Earth,” said Jeannie Schulz, widow of Charles Schulz. “I’m delighted that new generations of children will be inspired by Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts Gang to take up that mantle during this time when it is more important than ever.”
“The Take Care With Peanuts initiative was created to address the clear need today for more kindness, caring, and concern for the environment,” said Melissa Menta, SVP, Marketing and Communications for Peanuts Worldwide. “We’re working with organizations who speak to the audiences we want to reach: children and the grown-ups in their lives. GoNoodle, with its spirit of fun and purpose, is a perfect partner in our efforts.”
Throughout 2021, an original short video featuring the Peanuts Gang will be released on GoNoodle monthly, starting with a musical launch by Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, today (January 26). GoNoodle will also promote social-emotional and educational activities, created specifically for this age group, by Peanuts on the Good Energy for Grownups site.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and school shutdowns, we’ve heard from parents and teachers that their biggest concerns are around kids’ needs for wellness, social-emotional support, and community,” said KC Estenson, CEO of GoNoodle. “Snoopy and the gang will bring joy and good energy to the millions of kids and parents today who rely on GoNoodle for support in navigating these difficult times. The meaningful messages and activities from Peanuts will help create positivity and camaraderie as we all are reminded to take care of ourselves and the people and planet around us.”
Video themes will include “Snoopy Goes Green,” “Learning Is Everywhere,” treating others with kindness, age-appropriate wellness messages and standards-based learning activities. The videos can be found on GoNoodle’s app. Learn more at www.gonoodle.com.
Directed by Goro Miyazaki (From Up on Poppy Hill, Tales from Earthsea) and produced by studio co-founder Toshio Suzuki, with planning from Academy Award-winner Hayao Miyazaki, the feature is based on the children’s novel Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones (Howl’s Moving Castle), and marks Studio Ghibli’s first entirely 3D CG animated feature.
The all-star voice cast for the English dub features the voices of Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park), Kacey Musgraves (Golden Hour,Same Trailer Different Park) and Dan Stevens (Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, FX’s Legion), as well as Taylor Paige Henderson as “Earwig”. In addition to her debut voice acting role as “Earwig’s Mother,” six-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves sings the English language version of the film’s theme song, “Don’t Disturb Me.”
The Earwig and the Witch Blu-rayCombo is packed with bonus features, including behind-the-scenes interviews with director Goro Miyazaki, producer Toshio Suzuki and Japanese cast and crew, and feature-length storyboards.
Synopsis: Growing up in an orphanage in the British countryside, Earwig has no idea that her mother had magical powers. Her life changes dramatically when a strange couple takes her in, and she is forced to live with a selfish witch. As the headstrong young girl sets out to uncover the secrets of her new guardians, she discovers a world of spells and potions, and a mysterious song that may be the key to finding the family she has always wanted.
An official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, the film is scheduled for release in theaters beginning February 3 (more info at www.earwigmovie.com), and will be available to stream on HBO Max beginning February 5.
Despite best laid plans for a return to Bordeaux for this year’s confab, organizers of the 2021 Cartoon Movie animated feature pitching event have officially switched tracks for an all-digital version. Cartoon Movie Online will be held March 9-11.
“A year ago, the news had just spread: we were discovering a virus named COVID-19, today it has become a day-to-day reality. 2021 is a new year, vaccination has started, and the hope for a return to a semi-normal life is now more real than ever,” CARTOON general director Annick Maes wrote in the announcement.
“We would have loved to be able to announce with drum rolls that we were finally going to be able to meet each other ‘in real life’: pitching, discussing, laughing, drinking and eating all together. Unfortunately, the possibility to gather again in real-life will take a few more months. Cartoon Movie – held in March – still arrives a bit too soon: the time of reunion is not there yet.”
Due to the change in plans, producers of selected projects are being asked to record their pitches as video presentations, either in English or with English subtitles. The CARTOON team have built on the experience gained in the 2020 edition to prepare a new digital platform with expanded communication features, as well as a new mobile app which should be available March 1.
Digital platform features:
As with Cartoon Forum, recorded pitches will be put online as the program of the event progresses. Attendees can watch at their convenience through March 31.
An “Extra Time Corner” with the producers will open for 30 mintues right after each pitch as a dedicated virtual meeting room, accessible via a link under the video.
Attendees are asked to fill in the feedback form after each viewing. Available under or at the end of each video, these forms provide valuable remarks and advice to producers.
Engage with the Cartoon Movie 2021 Community by sending private chat messages directly to participants.
The platform also offers a news feed where the various activities and announcements will be highlighted.
Cartoon – Pitching Events mobile app features:
See all project information projects.
Create a personalized agenda.
View the project trailers, usually presented during the Croissant show.
A “Request Meeting” button allows you to contact the producer of a project directly by email.
Project feedback form (as in the digital platform). This also allows viewers to request the script and presentation of a project via email.
Plan and prepare for Cartoon Movie a week in advance!
Cartoon Movie registrants will receive a link to the e-catalogue with participants directory on March 1. A full agenda will be available on the website as a downloadable PDF, as well as on the digital platform and app.
Ahead of its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival this week, Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated documentary Flee has brought on Emmy winner Riz Ahmed (The Night Of, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Sound of Metal) and twice-Emmy-nominated Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as executive producers and lead voices for the English-language version.
Written and directed by Rasmussen (What He Did, Searching for Bill), Flee is the true story about a man’s need to confront his past in order to truly have a future. Amin arrived as an unaccompanied minor in Denmark from Afghanistan. Today, at 36, he is a successful academic and is getting married to his long-time boyfriend. A secret he has been hiding for over 20 years threatens to ruin the life he has built for himself. For the first time he is sharing his story with his close friend.
Ahmed will voice Amin in the English version, with Coster-Waldau playing Rasmussen, a fellow Dane.
The film is produced by Final Cut For Real (Denmark), co-produced by Sun Creature (Denmark), Vivement Lundi! (France), MostFilm (Sweden), Mer Film (Norway), ARTE (France) and Vpro (The Netherlands), supported and produced in association with VICE Studios, RYOT Films and Ahmed’s Left Handed Films. Previously selected for Cannes 2020, Flee is also one of the projects selected for the 2021 Cartoon Movie event in March. Cinephil is handling international sales, while 30WEST covers North America.
Producers are Monica Hellström and Signe Byrge Sørensen for Final Cut for Real, and Charlotte De La Gournerie for Sun Creature. The movie is also one of 55 European animated movies which will be presented at Cartoon Movie’s virtual event this March.
Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
British-Pakistani actor and musician Ahmed, who has also received nominations for the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and many other honors, recently made his feature voice-acting debut playing Takai in the English-language version of Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering with You.
Coster-Waldau has also had some practice in the V.O. booth, narrating the fairytale videogame GivingTales, reprising his role as Jaime Lannister for Game of Thrones – Conquest & Rebellion: An Animated History of the Seven Kingdoms and playing Marge’s twin brother Markery in the non-cannon medieval-fantasy “The Serfsons” episode of The Simpsons.
Australian-born animator and pop artist Ron Campbell, director for The Beatles Saturday morning cartoon and animator on The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, died January 22. The 81-year old passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, where he lived with his wife Engelina. The news was shared to the artist’s Facebook page by his longtime business partner, Scott Segelbaum.
“Making cartoon films was something Ron had dreamed of since he was 6 years old when he learned that the short films of Tom & Jerry that he saw in the theaters were only drawings. He was amazed that he could make drawings that could come to life … and that was it. He said he never woke up a day in his life and thought … damn I have to go to work,” Segelbaum wrote.
The Beatles
Born December 26, 1939 in the small town of Seymore, Victoria, Campbell received a fine arts education at the Swinburne Art Institute in Melbourne and began his animation career in the late 1950s. The talented cartoonist was soon working on Saturday morning favorites like Beetle Bailey and Krazy Kat, and made his mark with The Beatles animated series (1965-69), produced at Artransa Park Studios in Sydney.
Campbell moved to the U.S. to work for Hanna-Barbera; he also wrote and animated for George of the Jungle (Jay Ward Prod.) and Sesame Street. Building on his success with The Beatles cartoon, Campbell animated several sequences for the band’s cult animated feature Yellow Submarine in the late ’60s, working with friend and colleague Duane Crowther. These included the “Sea of Time” sequence and many scenes featuring Nowhere Man and between Chief Blue Meanie and Max.
Yellow Submarine
Campbell’s 50-plus-year animation career carried through to the 1990s, a he storyboarded, animated, produced and directed for beloved toons including The Smurfs, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?, Rugrats, Rocket Power and Duckman. After retiring in 2008, he refocused his creative energies on creating paintings inspired by the iconic animations he helped bring to life, touring galleries across the U.S. and meeting with fans who grew up inspired by his work.
Genius Brands International announces a sneak peek event for season one of the new animated children’s series Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Co-Executive Produced by and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which will officially premiere on Kartoon Channel! in spring 2021.
Sponsored by toy company Laser Pegs, the weekend event will be preceded by an introduction from Schwarzenegger himself, and will air beginning Friday, January 29 at 12 p.m. EST through Sunday, January 31 at 11:59 p.m. PST, exclusively on Kartoon Channel! In addition to content “Brought to you by Laser Pegs,” the toy company will provide prize packs of their unique STEM construction toys for social media promotions across Kartoon Channel! platforms.
“I am excited to work with Genius Brands to share a first look at Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, my first ever animated children’s series coming this spring to the Kartoon Channel!,” said Schwarzenegger. “I am especially proud and honored to bring Stan Lee’s vision and one of his last creations to life in this masterful production, sharing positive nuggets of value such as health and fitness tips, inclusivity, diversity, anti-bullying and more.”
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, an action-adventure comedy series, is one of the last creations from the genius mind of the late Stan Lee. The school day at Superhero Kindergarten is a lot like that at any other kindergarten … except these six extraordinary students have a secret: They are superheroes! Rather than powers derived from a radioactive spider bite or gamma rays, these special kids’ powers come from common kindergarten items like white glue, putty, building blocks and yes, even farts (yuck!). And thankfully, they have Arnold Armstrong (a.k.a. Captain Fantastic, the greatest superhero to ever live!) as their teacher (voiced by Schwarzenegger).
The series is voice directed by John Landis, one of the most successful movie directors of all time, with Steven Banks, former head writer for SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as head writer for the series. Produced by Genius Brands and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment in association with Schwarzenegger’s Oak Productions, the series features 26 half-hours for global distribution with Genius Brands concurrently launching a comprehensive retail program. Gill Champion, CEO of Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment; Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands; Schwarzenegger; and Paul Wachter of Main Street Advisors serve as executive producers.
“This unveiling is a special event for Genius Brands, as it represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work by some of the most proven hit makers in the entertainment industry. Stan Lee, Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Landis, together, have been responsible for billions of dollars of box office revenue from hit movies, series and consumer products, and we have no doubt that more magic will be made with Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten,” commented Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Genius Brands. “We are especially excited to help realize this vision of Stan Lee and look forward to bringing a broad array of truly unique consumer products to retail.”
Apple TV+ today unveiled the trailer for The Snoopy Show, a new Apple Original series hailing from a partnership with Peanuts and WildBrain. The all-ages animated series will make its global debut February 5, exclusively on Apple TV+.
The Snoopy Show is an animated series for kids of all ages that stars the internationally beloved beagle and his feathered best friend Woodstock as they tackle all-new adventures. Snoopy may seem like just a happy-dancin’, bone-lovin’, doghouse-sittin’ pup, but he’s much more than that. He’s Joe Cool: hippest kid in school. He’s surfer king and famed arm-wrestler Masked Marvel. He’s World War I Flying Ace who battles the Red Baron. All of his bold, beloved personas are on full display in this brand-new animated comedy.
Offering multi-generational viewing for children 4-11 years old and their caregivers, each episode of The Snoopy Show will consist of three, seven-minute cartoons based on the iconic comic series. Featuring the unique animation style that has entertained millions around the globe for seven decades, the nostalgic new series also showcases everyone’s most cherished characters from Peanuts including Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Franklin, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty and more!
The Snoopy Show will stream alongside Apple Originals hailing from Peanuts and WildBrain including Daytime Emmy Award-winner, Peanuts in Space: Secrets of Apollo 10, and Daytime Emmy Award-nominated Snoopy in Space, which are both now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ is home to original series from some of today’s most trusted franchises in kids and family programming, including the Daytime Emmy Award-winning Ghostwriter and Helpsters from Sesame Workshop; as well as upcoming series Fraggle Rock and Harriet the Spy from The Jim Henson Company; Doug Unplugs from DreamWorks Animation; Stillwater from Gaumont and Scholastic; and a newly imagined original series based on the stories and illustrations of Maurice Sendak.
Two literal giants of the silver screen are ready to finish their battle for supremacy in the big VFX spectacle of the spring: Godzilla vs. Kong. Warner Bros. released an action-packed trailer this weekend, on the heels of a release date bump-up which will unleash the iconic movie monsters on HBO Max audiences on March 26.
Synopsis: Legends collide in Godzilla vs. Kong as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans — instigated by unseen forces — is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.
Directed by Adam Wingard (The Guest, You’re Next) from a screenplay by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok) and Max Borenstein (Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Kong: Skull Island), the movie stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, with Kyle Chandler and Demián Bichir.
The film’s visual effects supervisor is John “DJ” DesJardin, whose myriad credits include Justice League, Watchmen, The Matrix Reloaded / Revolutions and Zack Snyder’s upcoming Justice League mini-series.
Toronto-based family and kid’s content producer Guru Studio announced today the appointment of Jody Jessop as Head of Recruiting and Community Engagement. The hire comes as the studio continues its rapid growth, adding creative talent across a range of new projects.
In the newly created role, Jessop will oversee recruitment across all 2D and 3D productions, with a focus on attracting and retaining top global talent. Reporting to Guru Studio President and Executive Creative Director Frank Falcone, she will work closely with Guru’s producers and creative leads to find new opportunities for existing talent, and will continue to strengthen the company’s focus on diversity and inclusion. She will also champion Guru’s internal community initiatives such as mentorship and training programs for artists.
“Jody is one of a kind and we’ve been looking for a chance to work together for years. She brings an incredible range of experience to Guru with years of production and artist management skills,” said Falcone. “As we continue to grow and evolve as a studio in this new work from home reality and beyond, Jody’s role is more important than ever as we look to secure the very best and most inspired creative talent.”
A 20-year veteran of the animation & VFX industry, Jessop has worked in senior production, recruiting and artist management positions for studios such as Pixar Canada and at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver, where she helped build the team that won the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The company is currently ramping up production on the upcoming CG animated series Mecha Builders for Sesame Workshop and HBO Max, new seasons of PAW Patrol with Spin Master, as well as its own originals Pikwik Pack, now on Disney Junior and Treehouse in Canada, and Big Blue with CBC Kids. The studio was recently ranked as a top production company in the Kidscreen Hot50 Awards.
For a list of all open roles at the studio please visit www.gurustudio.com/careers.
Paramount Animation has optioned the film rights to C.O.S.M.O.S., an upcoming kids’ sci-fi book series from Thomas Wheeler — co-creator of Cursed and writer on family flicks Puss in Boots, The LEGO Ninjago Movie and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Wheeler is also attached to write the adaptation.
C.O.S.M.O.S. — centered on the “College of Space Machines, Multiverses and other Odd Sciences” — is described as “Men in Black meets Willy Wonka with a shout out to Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy … “an epic, mind-bending adventure that celebrates diversity and the power of science to save our world,” Hollywood Reporter gathered from studio sources.
The first book in the series, The Doomsday Vault is due out March 15, 2022.
Paramount Animation’s upcoming slate includes the long-awaited U.S. release of Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run on CBS All Access; monster wrestling movie Rumble (WWE/Walden/Reel FX), now set for May 14; PAW Patrol: The Movie (Nickelodeon/Spin Master) on August 20; the new My Little Pony movie (eOne/Boulder Media) Sept. 24; Under the Boardwalk (New Republic Pictures) July 22, 2022; and fantasy adaptation The Tiger’s Apprentice (New Republic/Mikros Image) slated for Feb. 10, 2023.
C.O.S.M.O.S. joins a diverse slate of adaptations and franchise flicks, including most recent addition Stray Dogs, based on the upcoming horror comic from Image, and 3D CG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot with Nickelodeon and Point Grey Pictures announced this fall.
Amazon Prime Video has unmasked the premiere date of its new adult animated superhero series Invincible, which will debut three hour-long episodes Friday, March 26 as a platform exclusive in more than 240 countries and territories. New episodes will launch each Friday through to the season finale on April 30.
The premiere date was announced Friday by creator/executive producer Robert Kirkman during a livestream discussing the Skybound/Image comic book. An extended first-look clip was also revealed, featuring Mark Grayson/Invincible and his father, Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man having a familial chat about Mark’s developing powers:
Invincible is an Amazon Original series based on the groundbreaking comic book from Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, and artist Cory Walker. The story revolves around 17-year-old Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), who’s just like every other guy his age — except his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons).
As previously announced, the voice cast also includes Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, Mark Hamill, Gillian Jacobs, Zazie Beetz, Walton Goggins, Jason Mantzoukas, Andrew Rannells, Melise, Mae Whitman, Chris Diamantopoulos, Kevin Michael Richardson, Grey Griffin, Max Burkholder, Mahershala Ali, Clancy Brown, Nicole Byer, Jeffrey Donovan, Jonathan Groff, Jon Hamm, Djimon Hounsou and Ezra Miller.
Invincible is produced by Skybound and exec produced by Kirkman, Simon Racioppa, David Alpert and Catherine Winder, with Jeff Allen (Avengers Assemble, Ultimate Spider-Man) as supervising director.
Epic Games (Fortnite) will venture into the world of animated features with the upcoming movie Gilgamesh, which is supported by the company’s MegaGrants program, according to Deadline. The ongoing $100 million funding program dispenses grants to projects that ignite creativity and advance technology in the 3D graphics community, across games, immersive media, visualization, production, education and more.
Based on the eponymous hero of Mesopotamian myth, Gilgamesh is produced by Buenos Aires-based animation studio Hook Up and prodco DuermeVela FilmSharks and will be created using Epic’s Unreal Engine. The story, told in English and Spanish versions, will follow the demigod Gilgamesh on his quest for immortality and chart his unlikely friendship with the wild man Enkidu. DuermeVela’s Tomas Lipgot is directing. FilmSharks is handling worldwide sales for the 2022 release.
One of Latin America’s most prestigious animation and visual effects studios, Hook Up has produced animation for TV, feature film, shorts, commercials, digital-first content and more, with clients including Cartoon Network, Disney, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros. The studio is also developing several original series concepts along with Gilgamesh.
The Spanish animation series Pocoyo has hit its YouTube playback record after reaching 5.5 billion views in 2020, 70% more than last year.
Consumption of the character’s content on this platform increased notably during the months of lockdown, with April registering a record 540 million views, although this upwards trend has been constant throughout the year. Pocoyo has been a faithful ally of many families all over the world in these past months, both through educational content and videos on coronavirus prevention adapted to pre-kindergarten audiences.
In addition to an increased number of playbacks, last year witnessed a trebling of views on Pocoyo’s official channels compared to 2019, reaching nearly a million hours of content played. The number of subscribers also grew by 7.5 million, reaching 26.3 million.
These figures have made Pocoyo into one of the world’s most influential brands for children on digital media, with more than 26 billion views. Víctor M. López, General Manager of Zinkia, producer of the series, believes that “the change in strategy adopted around the brand is starting to bear fruit. We are growing strongly on YouTube and other digital media, but our presence on TV and platforms is also increasing. The strategy for toys and licences, as well as our international expansion have placed us in an ideal situation to relaunch the brand.”
Zinkia is also active on other digital channels, such as Instagram and Facebook (where it has more than 2 million fans), and has recently debuted on TikTok, backed by an increase in Pocoyo content consumption by the first generation of children who grew up with the character and today is between 15 and 19 years old.
In the 15 years since its debut, Pocoyo has been aired in 150 countries worldwide. It is also available on 40 VOD platforms. Pocoyo features on 53 apps which have registered more than 64 million downloads, and millions of licensed toys, books, textiles and other products.
Pocoyo has garnered 38 awards, including the prestigious Cristal d’Annecy and BAFTA for Best Animated Series, and a Kidscreen Award for learning app POCOYO Playset: Let’s Move. The series comprises four 52 x 7′ seasons, the 25-minute movie Pocoyo and the Space Circus and theatrical feature Pocoyo: Your First Movie, as well as exclusive content, official products and themed promos.
Founded in 2002, Zinkia Entertainment is a Spanish company that creates and markets entertainment brands through the production of audiovisual and interactive content aimed at family audiences, including Pocoyo and adventure series Mola Nogoru.
Puppet Animation Scotland presents a digital program packed with performance, screenings and workshops, including an international celebration of womxn in animation on and off screen as MANIPULATE Festival returns in brand new form against the odds.
The innovative festival of international, award-winning visual theater, puppetry and animated film will return for its 14th edition from January 29 – February 7. The program will take place in digital form providing festival fans and new audiences with the opportunity to enjoy the line-up from the comfort of their own homes. The previously announced multi-city installation art walk Restless Worlds has been postponed per government coronavirus guidelines.
Each year MANIPULATE Festival brings audiences together to experience boundary-pushing performances. With the aim of providing a spark of light at the top of a new year and making the tail end of winter a whole lot more interesting, the 2021 festival program will celebrate themes of connection, isolation and renewal.
“In the challenging circumstances that the pandemic has thrown up for our sector, the immediate priority for myself and the Puppet Animation Scotland team was finding a way to generate work for as many artists as we could,” said Dawn Taylor, who was appointed the new director of PAS in August. “Commissioning, hosting installations and digital theatre — all these represent uncharted territory for Puppet Animation Scotland, but we have been overwhelmed by the creativity and ingenuity of artists in meeting this brief.
“It’s clear that there are challenges to come for us as a society this winter, and so we also wanted to create something exciting and concrete that audiences can put in their diaries and look forward to. We’re thrilled to be able to keep providing boundary-pushing creative experiences through MANIPULATE in 2021.”
DIGITAL FESTIVAL / MANIPULATE Festival #14 will present a visually-led performance programme of 15 events, featuring exciting international and Scottish artists spanning puppetry, visual and physical theater, animated film, aerial and contortion, alongside workshops, social events and discussions.
Nigel by Natasza Cetner
In animated film, MANIPULATE welcomes back the Edinburgh Short Film Festival to curate another dynamic and vibrant program of award-winning international short animated films, which explore moments of connection and isolation in Animated Highlights 2021: Isolation and Connection. Featuring works from Slovenia, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, U.S., New Zealand and the U.K., each explores an aspect of the things which draw us together or pull us apart.
Featured as part of this programme is Nigel by Natasza Cetner, alongside works by Pieter Coudyzer, Segolene Romier, Izzy Gibbs, Milanka Fabjancic, Damon Mohl, Gabriel Bohmer, Martin Romero and Paul James.
And for the first time, MANIPULATE presents Animated Womxn — a womxn led showcase of extraordinary stop-frame and VFX work from the animated film industry. Featuring 12 animated shorts from Brazil, Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and the U.S., the program is made by and for womxn. The program is curated by Puppet Animation Scotland and supported by Animated Woman UK, Scotland (AWUK) and the PANIMATION Network.
After the screening, AWUK will lead a creative panel discussion with five animators from the Animated Womxn program to discuss their creative practice and to reflect on their experience as a womxn in the animated film industry.
Body Echo by Ali Aschman
PANIMATION is a multi-platform community of womxn, trans and non-binary people working within animation and motion graphics. The founders of the network will host a DRINK ‘N’ DRAW WITH PANIMATION workshop, an evening of chats and games, exploring how to combat gender stereotypes through character development when generating new stories.
Founded in 1984, Puppet Animation Scotland champions puppetry, visual theater and animated film in Scotland and internationally. As well as the MANIPULATE Festival and Puppet Animation Festival, PAS provides year-round networking opportunities, practical advice, support and encouragement to all artists working in puppetry, visual theater and animated film. Since 2000, Scottish puppetry companies have presented their work to over 1,850,000 people throughout the U.K.
See the full festival program and learn more about MANIPULATE and Restless Worlds at www.manipulatefestival.org.
